Exotect

ABSTRACT

New spine-protecting motoring and sports equipment and apparel are provided. In some aspects of the invention, variably-joined pivoting and sliding members with both overall and local pivoting-speed and/or range-limits pivot about central points, lines and/or curves, which approximates the rotational center line of a user&#39;s spine, spinal cord or points of optimal flex reduction for a wearer&#39;s safety. Aiding in creating pivot-points and/or pivot lines are external body-holding extensions, connected to at least some of the pivoting and sliding members (a.k.a., “brace sections”). In one preferred embodiment, a torso-gripping jacket implements the above-described aspects, and a top-most member, linked with the other members, rotates more greatly and variably interlocks with rigid slot in the rear base of a specialized protective helmet, protecting the user&#39;s neck from breaking in a crash.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of crash-protective motoringequipment and motorsports equipment.

BACKGROUND

Since the 1970s, over 40,000 people per year have perished in motorvehicle accidents in the United States, placing motor vehicle accidentsamong the top ten causes of death for each year up to 2009. See U.S.D.O.T., N.H.T.S.A., Research Note: Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes as aLeading Cause of Death in the United States, 2008 and 2009, available athttp://www.nhtsa.gov/, accessed Feb. 17, 2013. For people in their teensand 20s, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among allcauses.

The risk of severe injury is far greater for motorcyclists inparticular. Per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists died 30 times moreoften in accidents than passenger car occupants in 2010. See U.S.D.O.T., N.H.T.S.A., Traffic Safety Facts, 2010 Data, at table 2. Putsimply, unlike in cars, there is nothing around a motorcyclist toprotect him or her from injury during crashes. As a result,motorcyclists are at a particularly high risk of traumatic injuryleading to death and other permanent disabilities.

In the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, vehiclesafety equipment began to be mandated by United States federalregulatory authorities. History.com, This Day in History: Sep. 9, 1966,President Johnson Signs the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle SafetyAct, accessed Feb. 23, 2013, available at http://www.history.com. Lapseatbelts and optional, separate shoulder belts were introduced first.See, e.g., Tarbet, M. J., Cost and Weight Added by the Federal MotorVehicle Safety Standards for Model Years 1968-2001 in Passenger Cars andLight Trucks, NHTSA Report Number DOT HS 809 834, at Section 3, p. 64 etseq. (2004), available athttp://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/regrev/evaluate/809834.html. But, due tothe incomplete protection and additional risks posed by thehigh-pressure of those belts on a user's waist, with insufficientlyuncontrolled movement and collisions of the upper torso, integral3-point seatbelts (including a strap across the shoulder) were lateradopted. See, id.; cf. Abbas, A. K., et al., Seatbelts and Road TrafficCollision Injuries, World J. Emer. Surgery, 6:18 (May 28, 2011),available at http://www.wjes.org/content/6/1/18. An early integralthree-point seatbelt was introduced by an engineer at Volvo, NilsBohlin. Additional seatbelt improvements include retracting and lockingbelts, some of which hold a driver tightly upon sudden crashes.

Vehicles were initially made extremely rigid and strong, but thatapproach proved dangerous in crashes, because a large amount of forcewould be transferred directly to the driver. In 1959, an engineer atMercedes Benz, Bela Berenyi, designed crumple zones for absorbing theenergy of a crash and reducing destructive force of impact with a user'sbody. Crumple zones have become increasingly sophisticated, and helpprotect the modern driver in a variety of crash scenarios, includingside-impact. PBS, Nova Online, Escape through Time, Car, available athttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/escape/timecar.html, accessed Feb. 17,2013. Air bags, followed by multiple zone and multiple-impact variants,were also introduced and then mandated in the 1990s. History.com, ThisDay in History: Sep. 1, 1998, Federal Legislation Makes AirbagsMandatory, accessed Feb. 17, 2013, available at http://www.history.com.

Protective helmets have been worn in motor racing, aviation, othervarious sports and warfare for many decades, and serve both as a barrierand cushion to blows, when the design includes internal padding.Recently, impact-protective pads and suiting have beendeveloped—particularly for motorcyclists, but also for motor racing ingeneral. The high speeds and increased risk of injury from falling andunprotected bodily impact in those scenarios have driven thosetechnological developments. Some of the technological developmentsinclude protective cushioning, plates and “drag pads”—which allow arider to drag his or her knee on the ground at high speed to lean intoturns.

Some neck supports have also been developed, in an effort to combat therisk of head and neck injury during crashes. See, e.g., Alpine BionicNeck Support Product Details, available athttp://www.alpinestars.com/bionic-neck-support-sb-special-blend.html#.USBxkOizPBU,accessed Feb. 15, 2013.

However, as noted at the outset, death and injuries from automotiveaccidents remain at unacceptably high levels, despite each of the aboveadvancements, and recent advancements have produced increasinglydiminished returns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

New spine-protecting motoring and sports equipment and apparel areprovided. In some aspects of the invention, variably-joined pivoting andsliding members with both overall and local pivoting-speed and/orrange-limits pivot about central points, lines and/or curves, whichapproximates the rotational center line of a user's spine, spinal cordor points of optimal flex reduction for a wearer's safety. Aiding increating pivot-points and/or pivot lines are external body-holdingextensions, connected to at least some of the pivoting and slidingmembers (a.k.a., “brace sections”). In one preferred embodiment, atorso-gripping jacket implements the above-described aspects, and atop-most member, linked with the other members, rotates more greatly andvariably interlocks with rigid slot in the rear base of a specializedprotective helmet, protecting the user's neck from breaking in a crash.

Where any term is set forth in a sentence, clause or statement(“statement”), each possible meaning, significance and/or sense of anyterm used in this application should be read as if separately,conjunctively and/or alternatively set forth in additional statements,as necessary to exhaust the possible meanings of each such term and eachsuch statement.

It should also be understood that, for convenience and readability, thisapplication may set forth particular pronouns and other linguisticqualifiers of various specific gender and number, but, where thisoccurs, all other logically possible gender and number alternativesshould also be read in as both conjunctive and alternative statements,as if equally, separately set forth therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a human vertebra, specifically, the thirdthoracic vertebra, including insignia of potential aspects of itsfunction in vivo.

FIG. 2 depicts another human vertebra and its physical relationship andinteraction with some exemplary embodiments of aspects of the presentinvention, namely a limited free rotation-, extension-, compression-,tilting- and shifting-permitting, body-gripping brace section.

FIG. 3 is a side-view of a complex of interlocking rod layers, which maybe used to support and assist in providing both local and overallrotation-, extension-, compression-, tilting- and shifting-movementlimits for brace section elements, such as that discussed with referenceto FIG. 2, above.

FIG. 4 is a top-view of an exemplary alternate embodiment of a limitedfree rotation-, extension-, compression-, tilting- andshifting-permitting, body-gripping brace section.

FIG. 5 is a bottom-view of the exemplary alternate embodiment of alimited free rotation-, extension-, compression-, tilting- andshifting-permitting, body-gripping brace section discussed withreference to FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side-view of another exemplary, alternate embodiment of alimited free rotation-, extension-, compression-, tilting- andshifting-permitting, body-gripping brace section, similar to thatdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, but also with rotational andpivoting enhancements.

FIG. 7 depicts an integrated set of brace sections, of a nature such asthe brace sections discussed above, and a potential placement of such aset on a female user's body, as part of a specialized motorsports jacketand helmet.

FIG. 8 depicts a similar integrated set of brace sections to thosedepicted in FIG. 7, including additional aspects of the invention, suchas shoulder and posterior straps for limiting extension and compressionand further protecting the user's spine, and the remainder of her body.

FIG. 9 depicts an alternative of an integrated set of three major bracesections, as part of a specialized protective support frame for aparticipant in sporting activities, and, especially, motorsportsactivities.

FIG. 10 is a top-view of an exemplary process sensor/actuator, attachedto and actuating a body-holding process under the control of a controlsystem.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary system-actuable impact-absorbing or lockingrotary, extending, and tilting joint, which may be used with a controlsystem, as discussed above.

FIG. 12 depicts an integral set of brace sections that each maycontribute to translating and transferring dangerous energy to a kineticenergy sink, to reduce peak forces from impact and prevent reboundactions, such as whiplash.

FIG. 13 depicts techniques for variable anchoring of a set of bracesections, such as the types of sets set forth elsewhere in thisapplication, to a vehicular platform, namely, the back of an automobileseat.

FIG. 14 is a partially cutaway side-view of a motor vehicle comprising auser-bracing, impact-softening device that may be actuated by a controlsystem according to other aspects of the invention during a crash, andwhich device distributes holding force more evenly across a user's head,neck and torso than conventional airbags and airbag complexes.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view depicting a brace section for protectingand supporting a user's spine and other related body parts, with analternative form of circular-movement-creating telescoping members,similar to those discussed with reference to FIG. 2, above, but with amore compact design when not extended.

FIG. 16 depicts a rapidly-deployed head-wrapping, -conforming and-protecting frame, with inflating internal cushions for protecting andmore gradually decelerating a user's head during an impact.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of some elements of an exemplarycontrol system that may be used in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of a human vertebra 100, specifically, the thirdthoracic vertebra, including insignia of potential aspects of itsfunction in vivo. A large hole at the center of vertebra 100 is thevertebral foramen 103, which serves as a vessel for the spinal cord 105,occupying at least part of that space. Some evidence supports thehypothesis that the center of rotation of a spinal vertebra, when it isrotated in vivo relative to at least some neighboring vertebrae or someremainder of a human body, may be at or near point or axis 107.Specifically, rotational point or axis 107 is located near the anterior(a.k.a. ventral) edge of the spinal cord 105 and near the posterior(a.k.a. dorsal) edge of the vertebral body 109.

An alternative possible rotational point or axis 111 is also shown.Rotational point or axis 111 is approximately in the center, or along acentral longitudinal line or curve, of the foramen 103 and spinal cord105 within the foramen.

Points/axes/curves 107 and 111, and rotational, extension, compression,tilting and shifting progressions along such points, axes and curves,and other points, axes and curves, will be further discussed inreference to additional figures, set forth below, as targets for suchmovement and movement protection, and as indicators of net, resultingmovement.

FIG. 2 depicts another human vertebra 200 and its physical relationshipand interaction with some exemplary embodiments of aspects of thepresent invention, namely a limited free rotation-, extension-,compression-, tilting- and shifting-permitting, body-gripping bracesection 201. Vertebra 200 is similar to the vertebra depicted in FIG. 1,and also shown from a top view. However, another alternative rotationalpoint, axis or curve indicator 207 is shown at a position at theposterior edge of the vertebral body 209, and slightly more anteriorthan the rotational point, axis or curve options depicted in FIG. 1,discussed above. Some evidence supports the hypothesis that the centerof rotation of a spinal vertebra, when it is rotated in vivo relative toat least some neighboring vertebrae or some remainder of a human body,may be at or near point or axis 207.

Brace section 201 may be one of several brace elements, used in unisonin an integrated set of associated brace sections, and variably holdinga user's body at several longitudinal points or body-conforming ringsalong the torso, neck and head. As will be discussed in greater detailin reference to additional figures, several forms of association tocreate such a set involve one or more unifying, preferably curved and/orsectioned rod(s) or columns with rotational limits, for example, linkingsuch brace sections at a junction point, such as that shown as 213. Theprecise functions of the entire associated architectures of such setswill be discussed in greater detail below, but for the purposes of thisfigure, it is sufficient to note that, with support from neighboringstructures anchored to various bodily areas, scaffolding and otheranchoring structures, brace section 201 may limit the motion of theuser's body in the regions gripped by body-hugging and/or -holdingextensions, such as those shown as brace processes 215.

As shown by radial lines 217, drawn from point or axis 207 anddescribing the path of circular-path-sliding attachment members 219 fromencapsulating housing 221, movement of the brace processes 215 relativeto the remainder of brace section 201 is restricted to a semi-circularpath, centering on point, axis or curve 207. Because processes 215 hugor otherwise conform to the outer surface of the user's body, the user'sbody also is substantially restricted to a circular path about point,axis or curve 207. Furthermore, due to slide-limiting pieces 223, whichmay collide with and hold internal barbed ends 225 of sliding members219, that circular path is subject to outer limits, which may includeboth local and overall limits for a set of associated brace sections,depending on the designed characteristics of unifying structures. Aswill be explained in greater detail below, owing to further aspects ofthe association of braces in a complex with rod(s) and/or other bracepieces, directions of articulation of the user's body other thantwisting and rotating—such as tilting, compression, and extension, mayalso be limited, both locally and over the entire longitude of the bracecomplex. In some aspects, movement, such as twisting, may be forced orencouraged in a progression of sequential, maximum local tolerances,after which point the overall movement of the complex is totallylimited. Such embodiments may include movement-resisting or idealposture encouraging force biasing.

Although a circular sliding path is depicted for attachment members 219,it should be noted that slightly different curves may, instead, be usedfor those paths such that, with the elasticity of the human body, and ofpadding and other elastic pieces, a resulting circular pivot point, axisand/or curve at a desired protected point 207 is achieved. Suchvariations may be optimized on an individual-user-by-individual-userbasis, based on an analysis of a user's body motion and force resistancedynamics. Also, where a central point, axis or curve cannot be achieved,and therefore cannot be made a target of a designed sliding path formembers 219, due, for example, to the complexity of body, cushioning andmember-flexing dynamics, a target area including probably points, axesor curves of rotation may be used and a central, probable or actualpoint of such area covering rotation points, axes or curves may,instead, be used. If cushioning is used in brace section 201, such asthe examples depicted as internal process cushioning 227, andback-support/cushioning 229 (which comprise a variable-giving foam, asshown by the internal circular texture gradient), flexible materials,such as flexible bands 231, may aid in reducing resistance to themovement of sliding attachment members 219.

FIG. 3 is a side-view of a complex 301 of interlocking rod layers, whichmay be used to support and assist in providing both local and overallrotation-, extension-, compression-, tilting- and shifting-limits forbrace section elements, such as that discussed with reference to FIG. 2,above. The embodiment expressed in FIG. 3 includes two rod layers: (a)an outer rod layer 303 with a substantially hollow core; and (b) aninner rod layer 305, which occupies the hollow core of layer 303. Outerlayer 303 is preferably substantially stiff, but still has some abilityto twist, extend, compress, tilt and shift, albeit within limits that,when coupled with brace section elements and inner rod layer 305 asdescribed in this application, protect all elements of a user's spineand supporting living tissues from damage. Outer rod layer 303 may bemade of a single material, or a more complex structure of multiplematerials, but, in either event, preferably is manufactured with astructure to specifically dictate individual rotation-, extension-,compression-, tilting- and shifting-limits that are each ideal inproviding adequate safety from such damage. For example, the material(s)and structure of rod 303 and/or 305 may provide more than 120 degrees ofoverall rotation range, but prohibit more than 60 degrees of tilt. Asanother example, outer rod layer 303 may permit several inches ofoverall lateral shift by temporarily curving in response to stress, butmay limit extension and compression to within ½ inch, overall. Thesedifferentials may be created, for example by smaller componentstructures (such as, but not limited to, nano- or micro-structures) suchas longitudinal filaments with a high tensile strength, but that maynonetheless twist more readily, and latitudinal bands that, to a lesserextent, counteract twisting, or a helical structure that blends the twofunctions. Alternatively, some of the movement limits (e.g., compressionand extension) may be provided by the inner rod layer 305, and such morecentral longitudinal structures) while others, such as tilting androtating limits, may be provided by latitudinal, longitudinal, helical,honeycomb or other structures with greater limits, in the outer rodlayer 303, or vice versa. In some embodiments, inner rod 305 may haveless twisting and extension/compression range-limiting characteristics,and may even omit material substructure components of these types, dueto the greater extension/compression limiting effect of the interactionof the two layers (discussed further below). Generally, the specializedrange-limiting and/or elastomeric roles of each rod layer may overlapand combine, or may be restricted (a substantial motion limit providedby one rod only), depending on the embodiment. In some embodiments,additional rod layers, or a single-layer rod may, instead, be used toincorporate all of the desired physical limits due to selected componentstructures and materials. In any event, the material(s) and structurescomprised in each layer (or the single layer, if applicable) arepreferably extremely resilient and create some centering- and originalshape-restoring force bias, to encourage safe limits of movement andgood posture in a user, and absorb energy experienced in a crash.

The interaction of the two rod layers (in a two-rod-layer embodiment, ormore, in the instance of more layers) may provide a range of freermovement, provided by space tolerances between binding structures ofeach. For example inner rod layer 305 may include attached or integraltabs, such as those examples shown as 307, which may emerge fromwindows, such as those pictured as 309, in outer rod layer 303 and pivotand slide within them. More specifically, tabs 307 may move bothlaterally and up and down (along with twisting or shifting inner rodlayer 305) to some tolerated degree before encountering the edges ofwindows 309, through which they protrude, after which point theflexibility of the rod layers dictate limits for further,force-bias-resisted movement (for example, from the flexibility of theinner rod 305 material. Tabs 307 may also be or serve as extensionpoints for body-holding processes (not pictured in this figure, butdiscussed elsewhere in this application), which therefore limitover-movement of aspects of the human body, as well as the force-biasingand/or regional and overall limits for brace section sets discussed inthis application. The limitation of movement of Tabs 307 by windows 309may also, as mentioned above, have the effect of limiting theextension/compression of, especially, the inner rod, because windows 309may limit the involvement of the inner rod being extended/compressed tolengths extending distally from that point. In those embodiments, suchdifferentiation may be desirable to create a greater range of rotationthan compression/extension, protecting against, for example, herniationof intervertebral disks, while still permitting free rotationalmovement.

The rod complex 301 may extend to or be temporarily attached toadditional body-anchoring processes, aside from the body-holdingprocesses discussed above. For example, a variably-interlocking top tab311 attached to either or both of the rod layers may interface with, andtemporarily lock into, a tab-accepting pocket (not pictured) in a helmetand/or cervical gripping process, to limit movements of the neck in thesame way as the body-holding processes. The limits of movement tab 311may be optimized for regional and overall safe limits of head and neckmovement. Similarly, a lower tab and/or process extensions 313 may beattached to either or both rod layers and hug the user's pelvis, lapand/or posterior aspects of the user's body, or even anchor with aseating structure, for example, a vehicle seating structure, to aid inanchoring the complex and user and providing protective limits for theuser's pelvis and lower back, as well as the remainder of the areaprotected by the bracing aspects discussed above.

To ease the differential movement of rod layers 303 and 305, movementenhancing devices and materials may be used, such as lubricants(preferably lubricant impregnation of at least some of the componentmaterials, as with graphite) or bearings may be used. Also preferably,outer layer 303 is at least generally stiffer, more supportive,protective and stronger structurally than inner layer 305, such thatinner layer 303 is more flexible and able to provide some rotation,shifting, tilting, extension and compression movement by moving itselfwithin outer layer 305, while still providing safety limits for alltypes of body movement through interaction with outer layer 303, whichitself may provide some movement range, albeit with considerably lessrotational and other forms of flexibility. The greater flexibility ofinner rod layer 305 enables it to conform to the hollow inner core ofouter rod layer 303, while performing its role(s). However, anymotion-controlling or limiting role may be managed by either or both rodlayers and, as also mentioned above, the roles of the rod layers may bereversed in some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a top-view of an exemplary alternate embodiment of a limitedfree rotation-, extension-, compression-, tilting- andshifting-permitting, body-gripping brace section 401. As with section201, discussed above, brace section 401 provides limits for movement ofa user's spinal column and related aspects of the user's body. However,unlike section 201 and certain other embodiments discussed in thisapplication, brace section 401, at least by itself, does not necessarilycreate circular or other curved shifting patterns that result in centralrotation about an aspect of the user's spine when it is sufficientlypushed laterally or rotated. However, in a complex of additional braceaspects that do provide such movement, such shifting patterns maynonetheless be incorporated. For example, attached process stems 403(partially pictured) may incorporate or be included in such aspectscreating those, or other desired, shifting patterns. Alternatively, suchprocess stems 403 may be fixed and/or flexible, but not shifting, or maybe omitted and, instead, the remainder of brace section 401 may beotherwise joined to other brace sections or aspects, such as bracesection 201 via fastening port 213. In any event, brace section 401 mayinterface with other brace elements to join and become unified withthem, while retaining limited motion capabilities relative to them.Preferably, brace section 401 may, among other possibilities, join withanother such brace section of the same form as 401, by inserting itssemi-conical or semi-cylindrical lower (in the perspective of thefigure) body 405 into the upper body 407 of such another brace section,stacked below it in the same orientation. Such brace sections maytherefore be stacked and joined in an interlocked tower or column, up toa desired length for protecting (in addition with other brace aspectswhich may use such a stack of sections as a scaffold) a user's body andproviding a limited free range of motion, support, protection of theuser's spine and other related body parts, as well as physical movementlimits, as with the rod complex discussed in reference to FIG. 3.

In this embodiment of aspects of the invention, free movement may beprovided and limited by insertion-locking tabs (not pictured in thisfigure, but pictured in the subsequent figure as 509) and tab-acceptingslots 411. Barbing 413 toward the inner, top-end (facing the viewer) ofupper body 407 may interface with complementary barbing (shown in FIG. 5as 515) on the lower, outer side of lower body 415 and tabs 509, lockingtwo such brace sections 401 together. Tabs 509 and tab-accepting slots411 are substantially longer than necessary to provide that lockinginterface, and preferably one or the other is/are sufficiently long topermit tabs 509 to travel within slots 411 and, therefore, for eachbrace section 401 to move longitudinally, shift, and tilt relative tothe other, within range limits, and without becoming disengaged. Ingreater numbers of interlocked brace sections 401, this travel will,cumulatively, also permit lateral shifting of brace sections. Tabs 509and tab-accepting slots 411, and/or other members or physical elements,may also provide physical ranges and limits to rotation of one bracesection 401 relative to another with which it is engaged, with the aidof rotational subsections and/or bearings. For example, outer rotationalsubsection 415 may hold, within a gripping inner hollow or overhang 417,abutting bearings such as those examples pictured as 419, whichthemselves abut inner, sliding rotational subsections 421, which are orcomprise slots 411 and their surrounding supporting structure(s).Gripping hollow overhang 417 may hold subsections 421 in place whilepermitting them to slidingly rotate, for example, with a running trackinto which subsections 421 insert. By incorporating or comprising, in afixed manner, rotation stops 423 in outer rotational subsection 415,which itself is fixed to tabs 509 (on the opposite side, out of view inthis figure), the rotation of the inner and outer subsections (and oneengaged brace section relative to another) is, however, limited toprevent injury to a user from rotational over-motion (for example thatmight endanger or break the user's spine).

In some embodiments, a single, concentric tab 509 and tab-accepting slot411 may be used, that each span the circumference of lower body 405 andupper body 407, respectively. In such an embodiment, the tab 509 andslot 411 may rotate more freely, and separate rotational moving sectionsand bearings may be omitted, although rotational stopping members maystill be incorporated on the face of tab 509 and slot 411, to providedesired rotational protection. However, even if more economical toproduce, such an embodiment is not be preferred because the lessrestricted movement of the tabs in multiple planes leads to a greaterrisk of failure by the tab 509 disengaging from the slot 411, especiallywhen one brace section 401 is tilted or twisted relative to another withwhich it is engaged.

FIG. 5 is a bottom-view of the exemplary alternate embodiment of alimited free rotation-, extension-, compression-, tilting- andshifting-permitting, body-gripping brace section, now 501, discussedwith reference to FIG. 4, above. In comparison to FIG. 4, brace section501 (previously 401) has been vertically flipped, which is why theoptional process stems (now 503) now appear to curve in the oppositedirection. From this perspective, the semi-conical or semi-cylindricallower body 505 can now be more completely viewed, and tabs 509, withbarbing 510, may now be seen. Barbing 510 is at the near end (toward theviewer) of both tabs 509 and lower body 505. Other, such as innerrotational, apparatus(ae) are hidden from view by lower body 505 and notrevealed, for simplicity.

FIG. 6 is a side-view of another exemplary, alternate embodiment of alimited free rotation-, extension-, compression-, tilting- andshifting-permitting, body-gripping brace section, now 601, similar tothat discussed with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, above, but also withrotational and pivoting enhancements. From this perspective, theoptional process stems (now 603) curve out toward the viewer, and alower body 605 still comprises tab(s) 609, while an upper body 607 stillcomprises tab-accepting slots 611. However, unlike with the embodimentsdepicted with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, lower body 605 is generallywider than upper body 607 and, thus, it is lower body 605 that receivesupper body within it, locking inner tabs 609 within outer tab-acceptingslots 611, which hold one another in place with complementary barbing610 and 613. A wide variety and number of differing tab andtab-accepting channels, or other interlocking shapes, may,alternatively, be used, in addition to the embodiments pictured, withinthe scope of the invention. But, preferably, at least one dorsal and oneventral interlocking set of tabs and slots (or other moveablyinterlocking parts) is used, to make brace section movements smootherand better prevent movement beyond structural limits.

Also shown in FIG. 6 is an alternative structure for rotation, createdby overlapping, separate sub-sections of brace section 601.Specifically, the upper sub-section 625 comprises a socket, cupping andholding a lower sub-section 627. Together, sections 625 and 627 comprisea ball-and-socket joint, permitting rotation on multiple planes. Lockingtabs 628 and 629 of lower subsection 627 prevent hyper-rotation beyonddesired physical limits by colliding with retaining lips 631 of theupper sub-section 625. Bearings, such as those shown as examples 619, orlubricants may be included between the two subsections to improverotation dynamics and are preferably round. As with other embodiments ofthe invention, a centering or preferred-posture encouragingforce-biasing may be included, and may comprise a complementary,slightly out-of-round but curved complementary shape of subsections 625and 627 that, with a strong yet semi-flexible nature of the materialschosen for both, creates such a vertical and horizontal rotationcentering force-bias.

The brace sections set forth as examples in FIGS. 4-6, as with otherbrace sections discussed in this application, may be implemented as alarger set of unified, integrated brace sections, with processes holdingparts of the user's body (or other members so holding the user's body)and therefore permitting a wide range of motions of the user's spine andbody in general, while supporting and protecting the user from dangerousmovements beyond tolerated limits of the system. An example of such aunified, integrated system is provided next, in FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 depicts an integrated set 701 of brace sections such as thoseexamples shown as 703, and which may also be those examples discussedabove, and a potential placement on a female user's body 705 as part ofa specialized motorsports jacket 707 and helmet 709. For simplicity,only the left half of the user's body, set, brace sections, jacket andhelmet are fully depicted, but it should be understood that aright-hand, substantial mirror image structure for each of those aspectsmay also be included.

As alluded to above, some brace sections 703 have processes 711 attachedto and substantially fixed in rotation, tilt, shift, compression andother movements with them. Also as alluded to, and as pictured,processes 711 hold the user's body, by substantially wrapping around andconforming to it. Preferably, processes 711 comprise a semi-flexible,semi-rigid, strong, curved material able to create moderate holdingpressure against the user's body, and prevent slipping off in the eventof exerting physical limits or encountering other trauma. But processes711 may, alternatively or in addition, comprise bands that may bevariably interlocked with one another once brought around the user'sbody, creating a closed loop(s) around the user's body. In a preferredembodiment, such variable interlocking can be simplified by makingprocesses 711 an integral part of the user's garment, such as hermotorcycle riding jacket 707, and by making the closing process for thejacket one and the same with interlocking the left and right process ofa bracket section around the user's body, in the front of the jacket(not pictured). In other words, a zipper or buckles may be attached toboth ends of each paired set of processes 711 and the remainder ofjacket 707, at the edge of the front flaps of the jacket, when open infront and, by closing such fastener(s) to close the jacket, the user mayautomatically fasten processes 711 together with one another, in thefront, to close securing loops around her body.

To integrate the user's motorcycle helmet 709 as another spine andbody-protecting process, the top bracket section may variably fasten tothe user's helmet, which may then, once donned and so fastened, renderthe entire helmet a spine, head and neck-protecting process (protectingeach of them from over-movement, as well as trauma. More specifically,the top-most brace section 713 may, for example, comprise a male end ofa variably-barbed release buckle, along with a female slot 715 in orotherwise connected to or part of the helmet, in the area of the helmetnear the back of the user's neck. A release button 717, which ispreferably inside the user's helmet beneath padding, a flap or otherprotector (and/or otherwise secure from unintentional depression, forexample, during a crash) may be used to retract barbing or another catchbetween the male and female parts of the buckle, and release the helmetfrom the brace set 701.

While, generally, any other type of brace section discussed in thisapplication may be used in set 701, some alternative aspects of a newtype of brace section 703 will also be discussed. In FIG. 7, an outerrod 719 is shown, coupled to the brace sections 703. In addition toproviding support, protection and body movement safety limits, as withother rods discussed in this application, rod 719 may provide hardlimits to movement by colliding with tabs 720 at the proximal ends ofbrace subsections 703 if they over-rotate. Brace sections 703 themselvesmay then rotate about an inner, flexible axle 721, but up to such alimit caused by such tab(s) 720.

FIG. 8 depicts a similar integrated set 801 of brace sections, such asthose examples shown as 803, to those depicted in FIG. 7, includingadditional aspects of the invention, such as shoulder and posteriorstraps for limiting extension and compression and further protecting theuser's spine, and the rest of her body.

The additional shoulder-gripping processes and/or straps 841 areattached to a brace section 803 near the top of the set 801, but farenough down the set that, with enough gripping pressure (e.g.,tightness), the set will be pulled predominantly upward, rather thanpredominantly sideways, by the straps 841. Another set ofposterior-gripping processes and/or straps 843 may also be providedwhich, when properly attached as a lower part of the set 801 (such that,with sufficient pulling pressure (e.g., tightness), the set will bepulled predominantly downward, rather than predominantly sideways),oppose the pulling pressure from the shoulder-gripping processes and/orstraps 841.

In conjunction with one another, and the structural strength of theremainder of the set, processes and/or straps 841 and 843 may providelongitudinal stability and support, and may aid in preventingover-extension during collisions and other dangerous sources ofpotential over-motion. As will also be discussed in greater detailbelow, in some embodiments, the tightness, holding strength and otheraspects of all processes may be variably controlled before or duringuse, by a user and/or control system, and sensors and actuators for thatpurpose. Conversely, a non-compressible, or limited compression rod,such as the rod types discussed with reference to FIG. 3, may providesafe limits from over-compression, when connected to body-holdingprocesses.

Preferably, the set of posterior-gripping processes and/or straps 843are variably attachable to the overall set 801 of brace sections 803,for example, by a variably-barbed release buckle, of a nature similar tomale and female brace section and slot 713 and 715, discussed above,with a similar release button or trigger similarly protected fromaccidental actuation. The set of posterior-gripping processes and/orstraps 843 may be incorporated in a garment, as with processes/straps711, discussed above—such as within riding chaps—or may comprise astand-alone harness. As with processes/straps 711, preferably,processes/straps 843 form a loop around each of the user's thighs but,unlike with processes/straps 711, those loops 845 are preferably alwaysclosed loops, although, preferably, their tension may be adjusted, ascan the tension in main lead 847 which variably connects with the bottombracket section 849, as discussed above, in some embodiments.

FIG. 9 depicts an alternative of an integrated set 901 of three majorbrace sections 903, 905 and 907 as part of a specialized protectivesupport frame for a participant in sporting activities, and, especially,motorsports activities. As with set 701 and 801, set 901 may variablyinterface with and attach to a helmet 909, more greatly protecting auser's neck and head from injury from uncontrolled movement as well astrauma, as may occur in a crash. However, in set 901, twovariably-attached processes 911 (rather than one) may snap in to connecthelmet 909 with an upper brace section, such as 903. This bilateralapproach may aid in protecting a user's neck from over-rotation andother dangerous movements (by strengthening the attachment), as well asshield the user's neck from foreign objects. In addition, in FIG. 9,fewer, larger projections hold a user's body across broader areas, andmay, themselves provide shielding from impact by covering areas of auser's body likely to sustain such impact. As with the sets discussed inFIGS. 7 and 8, set 901 may be incorporated with garments or othermotorsports gear, and may loop around parts of a user's body, such asthe user's arms, shoulders legs and pelvis. Other processes may, inaddition, or alternatively, hug other sections of the users body aswell, and variably fasten in loops (e.g., a clippable belt variablysurrounding a user's waist.)

FIG. 10 is a top-view of an exemplary process sensor/actuator 1001,attached to and actuating a body-holding process 1003 under the controlof a control system 1005.

Rather than rely on purely passive brace sections, and the resilience ofmaterials, aspects of the invention benefit from active monitoring andreaction to environmental stimulus, and the anticipation of dangers, toreduce the risk of injury to a user. Any of the processes and bracesections discussed in this application may benefit from the activemanagement aspects of the present invention, for example, by furthercomprising movement-controlling actuators controlled by a controlsystem.

Among other types of actuation, a control system controlling theactuation of sensor/actuators 1001 may carry out active movements andother actuations in the following major areas, but is not limited tothese areas: (a) preparatory movement of the user's body for or to avoida potential acceleration/deceleration and impact, of varying imminence;(b) preparatory movement of processes and other bracing and shielding tobetter to avoid or absorb acceleration/deceleration and impacts ofvarying imminence; (c) preparatory locking or other engagement of “softimpact” force-absorbing devices to better protect a user from, andabsorb acceleration/deceleration and impact; (d) reorienting andsupporting a user's body for balance, posture, and altering G-forces;(e) movement or actuation of the user's body duringacceleration/deceleration and impact to decrease danger and destructionto the user's body; (f) movement or actuation of processes and otherbracing and shielding during impact to better absorb deceleration andimpacts; (g) locking or other engagement of soft impact devices, such asbut not limited to, a kinetic sink, during impact to better protect auser from, and absorb deceleration and impact; (h) engaging andactuating local limits (including, but not limited to soft limits) toranges of movement of a user's body, in anticipation of impact; (i)engaging and actuating overall limits (including, but not limited tosoft limits) to ranges of movement of a user's body, in anticipation ofimpact; (j) engaging and actuating local limits (including, but notlimited to soft limits) to ranges of movement of a user's body, duringimpact; (k) engaging and actuating overall limits (including, but notlimited to soft limits) to ranges of movement of a user's body, duringimpact.

To illustrate, we will assume that a motorcycle rider has donned a setof integrated brace sections such as section 1000, which are actuable bycontrol system 1005, to protect him- or herself while riding, and hasmounted a motorcycle. The control system 1005 may detect that the userhas mounted a motorcycle and/or started it by local or wirelesscommunication or motorcycle seat posture detection, for example, throughservo/motors controlling and directing the articulation of bracesections in every possible direction and type of movement, using theset. At this stage, the control system may enter a mode for riding, inwhich further sensation and articulation are geared toward the activityof riding a motorcycle, and the set of brace sections may begin activetensioning, which may require the use of power from the control system1005, but would not be warranted prior to triggering that operationalmode. As the user begins to accelerate on the motorcycle, and ride, thesystem may anticipate or sense that acceleration, for example, from aseparate accelerometer (not pictured) that is networked or otherwise incommunication with the system. As a result, the control system 1005 maybegin to take action to encourage or push the user's body into a properorientation for such acceleration, such as a more leaned-forwardposition to bring or maintain the nose of the motorcycle, and frontwheel down on the ground. Failing sufficient body actuation for suchsafe balance, the system may also actuate the accelerator of themotorcycle to reduce acceleration to remove the risk of the motorcycleflipping backward, or losing front-wheel-to-ground contact, depending onthe aggressiveness of user safety settings. Alternatively, a wheelpressure, or balance point detector on the motorcycle may trigger suchthrottle actuation response, by the same criteria. The system may alsoengage actuated shielding to cover vital organs at the front of therider, and add force-loading or locks via actuators, such as 1001,against the direction more likely to absorb a potential impact, or thatincurs such an impact. As the user rounds corners, the system maycorrect critical errors in balancing, for example, by coordinatedshifting and tilting actuation of sensor motors 1001 in all bracesections, preventing the motorcycle from tipping over and “dumping” onthe ground at high speed. Such reactions may be heightened undercircumstances indicating higher degrees of danger, such as heavybreaking at high speed, indicating that a collision is more likely. Inaddition, active collision detection, such as with sonar or otherDoppler reflection from near objects or other object tracking analysismay be conducted by the system to detect or project potential collision.Depending on how specific such object, object-movement, andobject-collision subsystems and sensors are, the system may also takeother actions in response to potential and imminent impacts. Forexample, if a dense or large object is traveling directly at the user,the system may move the user's body slightly out of the way to avoidimpact. If such an impact cannot be avoided, the system may beginlocking sections or otherwise bracing, moving shielding to meet, orotherwise form a barrier to spinal or other bodily damage from theimpact, and/or create a larger space for softer deceleration of bodyparts. In addition, the system may extend processes and shielding awayfrom the user's body in the direction of potential impact and, if and asimpact occurs, absorb the impact with process movement, to avoidacceleration of and impact with the user's body, with absorbingmovements toward the space thereby created between the processes and theuser's body. The system may also move the user's body part subject tocollision further away from the object that is projected to be a sourceof potential impact, and decelerate the user's body more slowly throughsensor/motor actuation during an impact (a “soft impact” technique).Processes may even be used to block, scatter, or move objects, causingthem to roll off of the user's body.

Additional stabilization, preparation and protection may be accomplishedwith additional aspects, in communication with a control system, as setforth further, below. An exemplary control system for carrying out suchsteps as described here is also provided as FIG. 17.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary system-actuable impact-absorbing or lockingrotary, extending, and tilting joint 1101, which may be used with acontrol system, as discussed above. As with other interlocking, yetlimited freely-moving joints discussed in this application, joint 1101includes an interlocked yet rotatable, shiftable and/or tiltable outerbody, 1107, and inner body 1105. Also as with other joints set forth inthis application, interlocking tabs on the outer body (1109) and innerbody (1111) retain the overlapping, variably-moving relationship whilepreventing decoupling. New to the embodiment set forth in FIG. 11 arefriction-variable resisting/holding members or textures, such as thoseshown as examples 1113. With sufficient space, resisting/holding membersor textures 1113 on the inner surfaces of outer body 1107, and on theouter surfaces of inner body 1105, do not substantially interfere withthe limited free movement of the joint, because they have a low enoughprofile and/or are sufficiently rounded at the edges to prevent binding.However, if outer layer 1107 is constricted or otherwise has its innersurface brought to bear on the outer surface of inner body 1105, suchresistance or locking binding may occur.

In the embodiment pictured, a control system may variably actuate suchjoint resistance or binding by constricting electromotive actuator bands1117, which may be connected to or otherwise in communication with thecontrol system, for example, via communications wires 1119. As such, acontrol system may drive impact-absorbing resistance or protectivelocking and support to protect a user's body from injury, in accordancewith other aspects of the invention set forth herein.

FIG. 12 depicts an integral set 1201 of brace sections, such as thoseshown as examples 1203, that each may contribute to absorbing,translating and transferring dangerous energy to a kinetic energy sink,to reduce peak forces and/or stress from impact and prevent reboundactions, such as whiplash. In addition to restricting dangerousover-movements as discussed elsewhere in this application, the bracesections discussed with reference to FIG. 12 are able to transfermovement(s) (and force(s) driving such movement) that approaches,approaches too rapidly or exceeds movement limits, for example, byflexible push rod(s) 1205, and gearing variably engaging and drivingsuch rods from such movement. For example, as one or both rod(s) 1205are driven upward and downward, they may drive force translationmechanisms ending in spinning a rotatable object. For example, in theinstance of sideways tilting of the connected helmet 1209, theright-side rod 1205 is driven downward and the left-side rod 1205 ispulled upward by the movement of the attached brace section(s) 1208, forexample, due to connection to the rods by the physical limiting tabs, oractuation of connection to the rods by a control system or locking reel,or other variably interconnecting mechanism. That rod movement may, inturn, drive rail-type push/pulling gear(s) 1207 in connection withrotary gear(s) 1212 driving a flywheel/gyro(s), wind- or othermedium-resister 1213. A variable engagement mechanism, such as a ratchetor other one-way slip technique, or control system actuated engagement,preferably disengages the drive connecting flywheel(s) and/or gyro(s) toprevent the rebound (energy backflow) from the gyro(s)/flywheel(s) backto the rod(s) or other transfer or translation mechanisms. Preferably,two such flywheels and/or gyros, with equal moments of inertia andopposing rotations, are driven at equal speeds, regardless of thetranslated motion. Inherent or designed friction or other resistance mayserve to dissipate the energy stored in the gyros (such aswind-resistance or tab colliding flaps 1216), as shown by radiationlines 1217, but such energy may be alternately translated and/or storedand spent for other use.

FIG. 13 depicts techniques for variable anchoring of a set 1301 of bracesections 1303, which may represent the types of sets set forth elsewherein this application, to a vehicular platform, namely, in this example,the back of an automobile seat 1305. One or more brace sections 1303within the set 1301 may include variably-locking femalelocking-tab-accepting slots 1307. When mounted on a user's body, at hisor her back, set 1301 may be locked to complementary-shaped,interlocking tabs 1309 by the user simply leaning back in his or herseat 1305, if properly aligned or with the assistance of slopes andguides. At this point, the set 1301 is anchored to the seat 1305, butextending cables (not pictured) to the tab-containing seat panel 1311may permit the user to move his or her back from a position flat againstthe seat, under some modes of operation. In the event of a crash, acontrol system may, however, safely reel the user back against the backof the seat, and lock panel 1311 in place (as shown) (for example, withactuable, drivable and lockable locking reels for the cable(s)) in theseatback, to create more space for a potential impact and/or aid inmoving or decelerating the user's body more softly during an impact.Similarly, the seat itself, within the vehicle, may be moved furtheraway from the direction of a potential impact (for example by rails ofvarying directions of articulation), such that a control system may usethe additional space thereby created to moderate the force of impact, oreven move a user's body out of the way of such an impact.

Other bracing, shielding and impact-softening aspects may be somodulated by a control system in anticipation of or during an impact, asdiscussed previously in the context of a system for a motorcycle user inFIG. 10, above, in the instance of use of such a control system in anautomobile.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, an extending, variably-positioned,multiple-sectioned impact softening aspect 1401 may be brought todecelerate a user's body more softly and evenly than conventionalairbags, in a variety of orientations during impact. By anticipating animpact, and extending aspect 1401 downward (though telescopingairbag-inflating frame sections 1407) from a stowing container 1405 inthe vehicle roof 1403, the control system may activateindividually-filled individual airbag sections 1409. The individualairbag sections include air transmission gates on their neighboringborders 1411, however, that are preferably open during initial(pre-vehicle-impact) inflation only. Due to those variably open gates,the initial inflation of each airbag chamber 1409 is accomplished to adegree filling the available space more appropriately and specificallythan an individual airbag. For example, if a user, such as the humanuser 1413 is leaned over toward the steering wheel (moreso thanpictured) the bottom-most airbag chamber 1415 may have more room, andfill more greatly than lower chambers, when impact is anticipated orinitially detected, because the top-most chamber 1419 encountered theuser's head earlier than the bottom-most chamber 1415 encountered theuser's chest and gas sent from inflation ports, such as those examplesshown as 1421, is diverted through gates/borders 1411 toward the lowerchambers. After reaching a maximum overall pre-user decelerationpositive pressure increase, the overall chamber system and its controlsystem may then close gates/borders 1411, to absorb the impact of theuser's body without spilling gas between individual chambers 1409. Inaddition, to accommodate a wide variety of user positions, the stowingcontainer 1403, or parts thereof, may be mobile (for example, on tracks)within roof 1403, such that, during pre-impact or initial impactdetection and inflation, the system moves from a front-most positionbackwards, as shown by motion arrow 1423, until the airbag chambers 1409each make initial contact with an obstacle—such as part of the user'sbody at a desired angle with adequate air-bag cushioning fordeceleration of the user's body. Although shown pivoting and telescopingdownward, frame sections 1407 may be stowed in a lateral direction, tomaximize the useable space in the roof, and also may telescope onlyafter reaching an ideal pivoting position (avoiding interference withthe user's arms and other undesired bodies, prior to inflation, creatingmore space for deceleration of the user's body). To accomplish rotationalong multiple axes, a rotary joint deploying system 1401 may take onalternate forms, such as ball-and-socket, while still permitting theflow of gas through it or around it (in a separate channel) intosections 1407, and out through ports 1421. Also, additional telescopingframe sections may telescope outward at varying angles, such astelescoping frame section 1425, for example, to cover side orrear-quarter impact decelerations of the user's body.

The impact-protective aspects of a crash control system may therefore beused in an automobile impact scenario, as well as a motorcycle impactscenario, as discussed previously. By using semi-separated chambersand/or individually filling them, as necessary, an equal timing ofbody-retaining pressure may be exerted on the user's body by a controlsystem, avoiding movement differentials between the user's body and headduring impact, which can be a cause of whiplash.

Similarly, blocking extending flanges, shields or space-creatingextending sticks or other members can be actuated by such a system on amotorcycle during a crash impact, or upon “dumping” a bike in a crash,to prevent the motorcycle from crushing or dragging the user's leg(s).

FIG. 15 depicts a brace section for protecting and supporting a user'sspine and other related body parts, with an alternative form ofcircular-movement-creating sliding/telescoping members 1503, similar tothose discussed with reference to FIG. 2, above, but with a more compactdesign when not in extension (due to rotation). As with the circular,sliding attachment members discussed with reference to FIG. 2, slidingmembers 1503 (comprising a body-holding process) create circularpivoting movement, supporting a user's free rotational movement withintolerated safe limits, and the circular movement centers on a preferredpivot point 1505 for protecting the user's spinal column, spine andsurrounding structures. In addition, however, the complex of multiplesliding members 1503 and optional tilt-stopping suspension elements 1508permit tilting within safe limits, governed by locking tabs 1507. Inaddition, the ability of the multiple sliding members to collapse andtelescope within one another, and inside a substantially smaller (thanin other brace sections) outer housing 1509, means that the sections,and entire set, can take up far less room in a neutral (centered)position, while still performing the concentric rotation function.Urging the neutral position is optional force-biasing 1513, which tendsto pull each sliding member 1503, to the center, within housing 1509.Alternatively, or in addition, a cable may also fix a maximum extendeddistance between the body-hugging processes. Again, body-holdingprocesses 1517 may grip the user's body at the relevant region for thebrace section, protecting the body from regional and overallover-movement, along with other conjoined aspects, such as rods andother neighboring elements, as discussed in this application.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view depicting a rapidly-deployedhead-wrapping, -conforming, and -protecting frame 1601, with inflatinginternal cushions 1605 for protecting and more gradually decelerating auser's head in during an impact. As with the aspects of the inventiondiscussed with reference to FIG. 14, multiple, telescoping framesections 1603 may be extended by a control system, such as, but notlimited to a hardware and software control system such as that shown as1607, and such as that discussed with reference to FIG. 17, below, andwith respect to other drawings in this application. When the controlsystem 1607 detects an imminent or initiating collision (e.g., byaccelerometers or other collision sensors or object approach sensors) ofsufficient danger to the user's head and neck area (for example, byforeign object tracking), the system may deploy gas, for example, fromcompressed sources 1609, which may then serve to extend and eject thetelescoping frame sections 1603 from a housing, mounted on the user'sback, for example, on a shoulder-slung harness 1611. As with otherphysical augmentations worn by a user in this application, frame harness1611, along with its variably-housed, ejectable frame 1601, may beintegrated with apparel, such as a motorcycle jacket. As compressed gasexits sources 1609, it may enter a frame-deployment housing 1613, andeject frame sections 1603 upward and out of that housing, as illustratedby motion arrows 1615. This initial movement is shown by the conditionof telescoping sections 1603 depicted as “Stage 1,” in which thesections have been ejected initially into two long columns, each sectionaligned with the other. Following this, as the sections 1615 reach theirterminal, extended length upward, and all more distant, narrowersections emerge completely from their larger neighbors, interfacingsurfaces on those interfacing section housings may become curved andmore tightly fitted, and begin to force the sections into a second,wrapping configuration, about the user's head and neck, shown as “Stage2,” caused by those interfacing curves. As this occurs, preferably, thesections fan out into a wider configuration substantially protecting theentirety of the user's head, and lock into that position, for example,with the aid of locking tabs at terminal positions between each abuttingsection. With no further extension possible, the ejecting gas may nextempty from ports in the sections 1603, upon reaching sufficient pressureto overcome valves at those ports (not pictured) and proceed to fill airbags that then exit from and surround the inner (head or neck-facing)face of each section, cushioning the user's head and neck.

FIG. 17 is a schematic block diagram of some elements of an exemplarycontrol system 1700 that may be used in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention, such as, but not limited to, actuating sensors,motors and other actuators in connection with structural aspects, suchas braces, brace sections, interconnecting rods, restraint systems,arms, rails, cables and frame pieces, to protect a user's body fromover-motion with safety limits and otherwise protect it from the forcesof impacts—for example, from sporting or vehicular activities. Thegeneric and other components and aspects described herein are notexhaustive of the many different systems and variations, including anumber of possible hardware aspects and machine-readable media thatmight be used, in accordance with the present invention. Rather, thesystem 1700 is described to make clear how aspects may be implemented.Among other components, the system 1700 includes an input/output device1701, a memory device 1703, storage media and/or hard disk recorderand/or cloud storage port or connection device 1705, and a processor orprocessors 1707. The processor(s) 1707 is (are) capable of receiving,interpreting, processing and manipulating signals and executinginstructions for further processing and for output, pre-output orstorage in and outside of the system. The processor(s) 1707 may begeneral or multipurpose, single- or multi-threaded, and may have asingle core or several processor cores, including, but not limited to,microprocessors. Among other things, the processor(s) 1707 is/arecapable of processing signals and instructions for the input/outputdevice 1701, analog receiver/storage/converter device 1719, analogin/out device 1721, and/or analog/digital or other combination apparatus1723 to cause a display, light-affecting apparatus and/or other userinterface with active physical controls (any of which may be comprisedin a GUI) to be provided for use by a user on hardware, such as apersonal computer monitor or PDA screen (including, but not limited to,monitors or touch- and gesture-actuable displays) or terminal monitorwith a mouse and keyboard or other input hardware and presentation andinput software (as in a software application GUI), and/or other physicalcontrols. Alternatively, or in addition, the system, using processors1707 and input/output devices 1719, 1721 and/or 1723, may accept andexert passive and other physical (e.g., tactile) user and environmentalinput and output.

For example, and in connection with aspects of the invention discussedin reference to the remaining figures, the system may carry out anyaspects of the present invention as necessary with associated hardwareand using specialized software, including, but not limited to,controlling the form, structural strength, holding force, conformationwith a user's body, reaction(s) and other movement of brace sections,frame pieces, cushioning (including gas-inflated cushioning) and otheraspects holding and protecting aspects of the user's body using attachedsensor/motors and other actuating devices. The system may also, amongmany other things described for control systems in this application,respond to user, sensor and other input (for example, by a user-actuatedGUI controlled by computer hardware and software or by another physicalcontrol) to activate/deactivate or release/fasten or reel in support andprotective devices, and detect and analyze body dynamics, collisionhazards, balance, and any other factor. The system 1701 may also permitthe user and/or system-variation of settings, including but not limitedto the affects of user activity on modes of operation of the system, andsend external alerts and other communications (for example, to emergencypersonnel) via external communication devices, for any control systemaspect that may require or benefit from such external orsystem-extending communications.

The processor 1707 is capable of processing instructions stored inmemory devices 1703 and/or 1705 (and/or ROM or RAM), and may communicatewith any of these, and/or any other connected component, via systembuses 1775. Input/output device 1701 is capable of input/outputoperations for the system, and may include/communicate with any numberof input and/or output hardware, such as a computer mouse, keyboard,entry pad, actuable display, networked or connected second computer,other GUI aspects, camera(s) or scanner(s), sensor(s), sensor/motor(s),range-finders, GPS systems, receiver(s), transmitter(s), transceiver(s),transflecting transceivers (“transflecters”), antennas, electromagneticactuator(s), mixing board, reel-to-reel tape recorder, external harddisk recorder (solid state or rotary), additional hardware controls(such as, but not limited to, buttons and switches, and actuators (suchas, but not limited to, the type of physical resistive force adjustingdevice discussed with reference to FIG. 11), light sources, speakers,additional video and/or sound editing system or gear, filters, computerdisplay screen or touch screen. It is to be understood that the inputand output of the system may be in any useable form, including, but notlimited to, signals, data, commands/instructions and output forpresentation and manipulation by a user in a GUI. Such a GUI hardwareunit and other input/output devices could implement a user interfacecreated by machine-readable means, such as software, permitting the userto carry out any of the user settings, commands and input/outputdiscussed above, and elsewhere in this application.

1701, 1703, 1705, 1707, 1719, 1721 and 1723 are connected and able tocommunicate communications, transmissions and instructions via systembusses 2375. Storage media and/or hard disk recorder and/or cloudstorage port or connection device 2305 is capable of providing massstorage for the system, and may be a computer-readable medium, may be aconnected mass storage device (e.g., flash drive or other driveconnected to a U.S.B. port or Wi-Fi) may use back-end (with or withoutmiddle-ware) or cloud storage over a network (e.g., the internet) aseither a memory backup for an internal mass storage device or as aprimary memory storage means, or may simply be an internal mass storagedevice, such as a computer hard drive or optical drive.

Generally speaking, the system may be implemented as a client/serverarrangement, where features of the invention are performed on a remoteserver, networked to the client and made a client and server by softwareon both the client computer and server computer. Input and outputdevices may deliver their input and receive output by any known means ofcommunicating and/or transmitting communications, signals, commandsand/or data input/output, including, but not limited to, input throughthe devices illustrated in examples shown as 1717, such as 1709, 1711,1713, 1715, and 1777 and any other devices, hardware or otherinput/output generating and receiving aspects. Any phenomenon that maybe sensed may be managed, manipulated and distributed and may be takenor converted as input or output through any sensor or carrier known inthe art. In addition, directly carried elements (for example a lightstream taken by fiber optics from a view of a scene) may be directlymanaged, manipulated and distributed in whole or in part to enhanceoutput, and whole ambient light or other RF information for anenvironmental region may be taken by a series of sensors dedicated toangles of detection, or an omnidirectional sensor or series of sensorswhich record direction as well as the presence of electromagnetic orother radiation. While this example is illustrative, it is understoodthat any form of electromagnetism, compression wave or other sensoryphenomenon may include such sensory directional and 3D locationalinformation, which may also be made possible by multiple locations ofsensing, preferably, in a similar, if not identical, time frame. Thesystem may condition, select all or part of, alter and/or generatecomposites from all or part of such direct or analog image or othersensory transmissions, including physical samples (such as DNA,fingerprints, iris, and other biometric samples or scans) and maycombine them with other forms of data, such as image files, dossiers ormetadata, if such direct or data encoded sources are used.

While the illustrated system example 1700 may be helpful to understandthe implementation of aspects of the invention, it is understood thatany form of computer system may be used to implement many control systemand other aspects of the invention—for example, a simpler computersystem containing just a processor (datapath and control) for executinginstructions from a memory or transmission source. The aspects orfeatures set forth may be implemented with, and in any combination of,digital electronic circuitry, hardware, software, firmware, or in analogor direct (such as electromagnetic wave-based, physical wave-based oranalog electronic, magnetic or direct transmission, without translationand the attendant degradation, of the medium) systems or circuitry orassociational storage and transmission, any of which may be aided withenhancing media from external hardware and software, optionally, bywired or wireless networked connection, such as by LAN, WAN or the manyconnections forming the internet or local networks. The system can beembodied in a tangibly-stored computer program, as by a machine-readablemedium and propagated signal, for execution by a programmable processor.The method steps of the embodiments of the present invention also may beperformed by such a programmable processor, executing a program ofinstructions, operating on input and output, and generating output. Acomputer program includes instructions for a computer to carry out aparticular activity to bring about a particular result, and may bewritten in any programming language, including compiled and uncompiled,interpreted languages, assembly languages and machine language, and canbe deployed in any form, including a complete program, module,component, subroutine, or other suitable routine for a computer program.

I claim:
 1. A system for permitting movement while controllingover-movement of a user's body in the same direction(s), comprising aset of connected variable-position and/or variable relative movement(with respect to one another) brace sections, each of which holds and/orotherwise confines at least part of the user's body, and each of whichencounters both local (with respect to other, neighboring bracesections) and overall (with respect to a foundation or the remainder ofthe set) limits to its range of movement and, thereby, the range ofmovement of parts of the user's body.
 2. The system for permittingmovement while controlling over-movement of a user's body in the samedirection(s) of claim 1, in which the system further comprises acentering or other resting conformation bias, which may comprise a forcebias such as a spring, for returning or urging the brace sections to adesired default posture.
 3. The system for permitting movement whilecontrolling over-movement of a user's body in the same direction(s) ofclaim 1, in which said limits to its range of movement compriserotational limits.
 4. The system for permitting movement whilecontrolling over-movement of a user's body in the same direction(s) ofclaim 3, in which said rotational limits further comprise a centralpoint(s), line(s) or curve(s) (or progression thereof) of rotationlocated within a desired area of protection from over movement withinthe user's body.
 5. The system for permitting movement while controllingover-movement of a user's body in the same direction(s) of claim 4, inwhich said central point(s), line(s) or curve(s) (or progressionthereof) of rotation is/are located within or about the user's spinalcord, or within or about a potential location of a potential user'sspinal cord.
 6. The system for permitting movement while controllingover-movement of a user's body in the same direction(s) of claim 5, inwhich said central point(s), line(s) or curve(s) (or progressionthereof) of rotation is/are located, at least in part, at or about thecenter of a vertebral foramen and/or spinal cord of a user or apotential center of a vertebral foramen and/or spinal cord of apotential user.
 7. The system for permitting movement while controllingover-movement of a user's body in the same direction(s) of claim 5, inwhich said central point(s), line(s) or curve(s) (or progressionthereof) of rotation is/are located, at least in part, at or about anevidentiarily-established potential center of rotation of at least oneof a user's (or potential user's) vertebra in vivo, such as, but notlimited to, a location at or about the anterior edge of the spinal cordand/or the posterior edge of the vertebral body.
 8. The system forpermitting movement while controlling over-movement of a user's body inthe same direction(s) of claim 1, in which the system is integrated intoa user-wearable harness or garment, such as a racing jacket, which mayalso contain other shielding and/or padding.
 9. The system forpermitting movement while controlling over-movement of a user's body inthe same direction(s) of claim 8, further comprising shoulder and/orposterior straps for better controlling extension and/or compression ofthe system and/or part of the user's body.
 10. The system for permittingmovement while controlling over-movement of a user's body in the samedirection(s) of claim 1, in which an upper brace section comprises amotion-controlling variable fastener for variably attaching a headand/or neck-gripping helmet or other process(es) to controlover-movement of the user's head and/or neck relative to the remainderof his or her spine or associated body parts beyond safe limits.
 11. Thesystem for permitting movement while controlling over-movement of auser's body in the same direction(s) of claim 10, further comprising auser-actuable release for decoupling said head and/or neck-grippinghelmet or other process(es) from said upper brace section.
 12. Thesystem for permitting movement while controlling over-movement of auser's body in the same direction(s) of claim 1, in which a lower bracesection comprises a motion-controlling variable fastener for variablyattaching a posterior and/or pelvis-gripping brace, straps, harnessother process(es) to control over-movement of the user's pelvis and/orother extremities relative to the remainder of his or her spine orassociated body parts beyond safe limits.
 13. The system for permittingmovement while controlling over-movement of a user's body in the samedirection(s) of claim 1, in which said limits comprise limits to thetilt of each section of each section and/or associated body part(s). 14.The system for permitting movement while controlling over-movement of auser's body in the same direction(s) of claim 1, in which said limitscomprise limits to the lateral shift of each section of each sectionand/or associated body part(s).
 15. The system for permitting movementwhile controlling over-movement of a user's body in the samedirection(s) of claim 1, in which said limits comprise limits to theextension and/or compression of each section and/or associated bodypart(s).
 16. The system for permitting movement while controllingover-movement of a user's body in the same direction(s) of claim 1, inwhich said limits comprise limits to the rotation, tilt, lateral shiftand extension/compression of each section and/or associated (held orotherwise confined) body part(s).
 17. A set of variable user-confiningbraces in which a computer hardware and software control system activelycontrols the location and safe limits of movement, including functionsor progressions of movement, of at least parts of a user's body toprepare it for and/or decrease the risk of injury from (projected)potential, imminent or initiated impacts in a crash.
 18. The set ofvariable user-confining braces of claim 17, further comprising in whichsaid braces are or comprise seatbelts or may variably couple with avariable-length, system-actuable cable, seat or other structuralplatform in a motor vehicle.
 19. A set of user-confining braces in whichforce against said braces beyond acceleration and/or other physicallimits may result in absorbing and/or transferring and translatingenergy from that force to a kinetic sink.
 20. The set of user-confiningbraces of claim 19, further comprising in which said absorbing and/ortransferring may be accomplished, at least in part, by push rods andsaid kinetic sink may comprise, at least in part, dual gyros and/orflywheels and/or a resistive medium, and in which the transfer isone-way only (to the sink, gyro(s) and/or flywheel(s)), preventingrebound from the kinetic sink, accomplished, for example, by operation aratchet or other one-way slip rotational device.